As the museum and archives curator of collections and exhibitions, Mr Buckenham has been involved in curation, conservation, exhibition design, education and has occasionally been an "amateur archaeologist", over the last two years.
Next month he will start his new role at the National Museum of Australia, in Canberra, as curator of discovering collections, which involves developing contemporary collections that reflect life in Australia and its social history.
Waitaki Museum and Archive director Chloe Searle said it was "very sad" to lose Mr Buckenham from the team.
"As it usually is when someone resigns, we accept the resignation with regret.
"We are grateful for all his contributions, especially his work on the top floor at the gallery.
"We’ll miss the energy and his links to the community. Anyone who has met Henry knows he’s incredibly passionate with whatever he is presented with to work on," she said.
Mr Buckenham grew up in Christchurch and spent several years studying at Monash University, in Melbourne, before taking the position at the Waitaki Museum and Archive.
He said he would miss working at "one of the best small museums in New Zealand" and the people.
"It punches far above its weight, like Oamaru in general.
"The respect and the acknowledgement to the history of the place really contributes massively to the vibrancy of the town.
"The commitment that the council and all the previous staff members have had into making this place, really a modern and exciting place for young people and tourists and locals to visit, and to experience and to feel that the history of the place they live in, is a relevant part of their day-to-day life, it’s quite special," he said.
He will also miss his "four and a-half minute" commute to work each day and working with schools.
"I’ve loved working with kids and I’m really going to miss the education element of being in a smaller place.
"We’ve had a lot of schools coming to see us and kids who are familiar with me, and Chloe and Liz, our educator, and familiar with the space, who are excited and comfortable coming back and they can feel like it is their place.
"Which is really important, because it is their place and as they go through school and repeatedly visit the museum, that relationship only grows and strengthens.
"It has been a big part of my work here and it’s something I’m very proud of."
Mr Buckenham was excited to be working with a new team, acknowledging how much he had learnt from educators on the staff, and said he was looking forward to bringing some of the sensibilities and practicalities of working in a small institution in New Zealand, to a bigger institution.
"There’s a lot that can be learnt from small institutions about how we engage with the public, the sort of relationships in the community and how that helps us achieve our core purposes," he said.
